The Walker Tower in Chelsea has been an icon of the New York skyline ever since its completion in 1929 to the design of Ralph Walker - named 'architect of the century' by the New York Times in 1957.
More than half a century on and the Walker Tower has just been gloriously restored by developers Property Markets Group and JDS Development Group, who recently announced the completion of the building's iconic façade. The renovation, carried out by the architecture firm CetraRuddy, concentrated on maintaining the original building's spirit, but at the same time creating a state-of-the-art luxury residential building (the first apartments of which will be finished within weeks). 'Our goal was to ensure that the architecture remained committed to Ralph Walker's original design, and that the new elements we incorporated were based on existing decorative motifs found in the building's entrance and lobby,' said Michael Stern, founder of JDS Development Group.
Walker's work, often intricately embellished with ornaments and different textures, included collaborations with designers and artists, which illustrated his 'humanistic' design approach, aimed at creating a welcoming environment for residents. Following the architect's original vision, the building renovation features a mix of restored brick, new ornamental micro-linen bronze stainless steel panels, newly formed aluminum panels and new oversized tilt-and-turn windows.
Inside, the existing 24-storey building has been reconfigured into 47 residences, some featuring 360-degree views of the Manhattan harbour. More than half of the residences have private terraces, with existing openings enlarged to fully capture the breathtaking views. A 24-hour doorman, concierge, library lounge with bar, children's playroom, fitness centre, sauna and a common decked roof terrace are a few of the amenities the residents will be able to enjoy. It is no surprise that its 5,955-square-foot penthouse was snapped up after less than a month on the market. The penthouse will be ready in December and all the residents are expected to be able to move into the tower early next year.
Walker, also the architect behind the city's Barclay-Vesey Telephone Building and the financial district's art deco Irving Trust bank tower, tirelessly developed the skyscraper typology and also worked on the Chicago and New York World's Fairs in the 1930s. Perfectly timed to coincide with the Walker Tower renovation project, Rizzoli's new tome 'Ralph Walker: Architect of the Century' by Kathryn E. Holliday is the first monograph to fully present the architect's work and vision.
The building, located in Chelsea, has been an icon of the New York skyline ever since its completion in 1929. It was designed by Ralph Walker, named 'architect of the century' by the New York Times in 1957
The renovation, carried out by the architecture firm CetraRuddy, concentrated on maintaining the original building's spirit, while also creating a state-of-the-art luxury residential building
Inside, the existing 24-storey building has been reconfigured into 47 residences, some featuring 360-degree views of the Manhattan harbour
The tower's new residents are expected to be able to move in early next year
More than half of the residences have private terraces. Existing openings in the facade were enlarged to fully capture the breathtaking views
A 24-hour doorman, concierge, library lounge with bar, children's playroom, fitness center, sauna and a common decked roof terrace are a few of the amenities the lucky residents will be able to enjoy
The perfect accompaniment for the transformation of this landmark is Rizzoli New York's 'Ralph Walker: Architect of the Century' - the first monograph to fully present the architect's work and vision
A spread from the book shows a rendering of the Western Union Building - designed by Voorhees, Gmelin & Walker - painted by Chester B Price. Price's artwork shows the original fade from deep red at the base to pink at the building's crown.
Entrance to the Western Union building, by Ralph Walker, from Hudson Street. The most elaborate brick patterns in his buildings are located around the entrances.
This archive image from the book shows the famous Beaux-Arts Ball of 1931, a 'fête moderne' held at the Hotel Astor for which architects dressed up as buildings they had designed. Pictured (from left): A Stewart Walker as the Fuller Building; Leonard Schultze as the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel; Ely Jacques Kahn as the Squibb Building; William Van Alen as the Chrysler Building; Ralph Walker as the Irving Trust; DE Ward as the Metropolitan Tower; and Joseph Freedlander as the Museum of the City of New York.
The top floor of the Irving Trust, by Ralph Walker, is a private observation lounge.. Courtesy HLW International LLP.
The observation lounge's walls were originally covered in a red and buff 'war bonnet' print. Courtesy HLW International LLP.
A spread from the book depicts various images from the General Electric Pavilion - designed by Walker, Vorhees, and Foley & Smith - which was dedicated to displays about electricity. An enormous lightning bolt sculpture took pride of place outside the pavilion, while the Steinmetz Hall inside housed an indoor lightning field
Study for the Barclay-Vesey Telephone Building, by Ralph Walker, 1921 or 1922.
-
Audi launches AUDI, a China-only sub-brand, with a handsome new EV conceptThe AUDI E previews a new range of China-specific electric vehicles from the German carmaker’s new local sub-brand
-
Inside Izza Marrakech: A new riad where art and bohemian luxury meetHonouring the late Bill Willis’ hedonistic style, Izza Marrakech fuses traditional Moroccan craftsmanship with the best of contemporary art
-
Clocking on: the bedside analogue timepieces that won’t alarm your aestheticWe track down the only tick-tocks that matter, nine traditional alarm clocks that tell the time with minimum fuss and maximum visual impact
-
This New York brownstone was transformed through the power of a single, clever moveVoid House, a New York brownstone reimagined by architecture studio Light and Air, is an interior transformed through the power of one smart move
-
A new Texas house transforms a sloping plot into a multi-layered family homeThe Griggs Residence is a Texas house that shields its interior world and spacious terraces with a stone and steel façade
-
Light, nature and modernist architecture: welcome to the reimagined Longwood GardensLongwood Gardens and its modernist Roberto Burle Marx-designed greenhouse get a makeover by Weiss/Manfredi and Reed Hildebrand in the US
-
A bridge in Buffalo heralds a new era for the city's LaSalle ParkA new Buffalo bridge offers pedestrian access over busy traffic for the local community, courtesy of schlaich bergermann partner
-
Tour this Bel Vista house by Albert Frey, restored to its former glory in Palm SpringsAn Albert Frey Bel Vista house has been restored and praised for its revival - just in time for the 2025 Palm Springs Modernism Week Preview
-
First look: step inside 144 Vanderbilt, Tankhouse and SO-IL’s new Brooklyn projectThe first finished duplex inside Tankhouse and SO-IL’s 144 Vanderbilt in Fort Greene is a hyper-local design gallery curated by Brooklyn studio General Assembly
-
Tour Ray's Seagram Building HQ, an ode to art and modernism in New York CityReal estate venture Ray’s Seagram Building HQ in New York is a homage to corporate modernism
-
Populus by Studio Gang, the ‘first carbon positive hotel in the US’ takes root in DenverPopulus by Studio Gang opens in Denver, offering a hotel with a distinctive, organic façade and strong sustainability credentials
